Electrophotographic device with an arrangement for transferring used toner from a cleaning station to a used toner container

ABSTRACT

A device for the electrophotographic production of image patterns has at least one printing unit to which toner is supplied and has an arrangement for transferring used toner from a cleaning station of the printing unit to a used toner container. The arrangement for transferring can be interrupted to enable changing the used toner container without interrupting the printing operation of the device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a National Stage filed under 35 USC 371 ofPCT/DE97/02385, filed Oct. 15, 1997, which claimed priority from GermanApplication 196 42 570.0 filed Oct. 15, 1996.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a device for the electrographic generationof image patterns on a recording medium, particularly printer or copier,having at least one printing unit to which toner is supplied from atoner reservoir. According to various aspects of the invention, theinvention is directed to means for delivering the toner and/or foreliminating the toner in such a device.

When the toner's supply in the toner reservoir in a known printer isrunning out, a signal is generated that causes the printer to bearrested or stopped. An operator must then refill toner from astandardized refilling container into the toner reservoir. After the endof the filling procedure, printing operations can be re-assumed. Asimilar case applies for handling used toner that is collected from acleaning station in the printer or copier. When a used toner containerhas reached a high filling level, an operator is informed of this withan alarm signal. Printing operations are interrupted and the full usedtoner container is replaced with an empty one. The described procedurereduces the availability, economic feasibility and user-friendliness ofthe printer or, respectively, copier. This is felt particularly givenhigh-performance printers that should print or, respectively, copyoptimally interruption-free in order to achieve their full efficiency.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,340 discloses an apparatus for theelectrophotographic generation of image patterns on a recording medium.The apparatus contains two toner reservoirs. When the first tonerreservoir is empty, a switch is made to the second toner reservoir. Theused toner that arises is collected in a used toner container. When theused toner container is not available, the used toner is collected in anadditionally provided container inside the apparatus or outside theapparatus.

DE-A-39 21 806 discloses a dry copier device wherein the excess toner iscollected in a collecting container that is arranged outside the copierdevice. The collecting container is connected to the copier device witha conveyor conduit. The conveyor conduit contains a downpipe, so thatthe toner is further-conveyed due to the influence of gravity. Theelimination of the toner in the direction of the collecting containerensues with the assistance of a worm conveyor.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,234 discloses a copier device whose device covers,for example device doors, are connected to an electrical safety means.When the device doors are opened, the copier device is shut off by thissafety device. An opening that is not connected to the safety device isincorporated into the device cover. A toner container with fresh tonercan be supplied to the copier device via this opening. The fresh toneris refilled into a container. The toner container emptied in this way isthen filled with used toner.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,211 describes a laser printer. The used toner outputby a cleaning station is conveyed to a used toner container with theassistance of an intermittently operating worm conveyor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to specify a device for the electrographicgeneration of image patterns on a recording medium wherein the apparatusoperation is as continuous as possible. In particular, it is an objectof the invention to enable the continuous elimination of used tonerwithout interruption of apparatus operations.

This object is achieved by an improvement in an apparatus forelectrographically producng image patterns on a recording medium, suchas a printer or copier, which apparatus comprises at least one printingunit to which toner is supplied from a toner reservoir and has means forelimination of used toner collected at the cleaning station bytransferring the used toner to a used toner container. The improvementis that the means is interruptible to allow replacing or changing of theused toner container without interrupting the printing operation and themeans has a controllable coupling that can be actuated between a driveand conveyor shaft for the transfer of the toner from the cleaningstation.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an opening isprovided in a device cover through which the toner reservoir can berefilled from the outside without interrupting operations. Inparticular, a closeable opening through which the toner reservoir can berefilled is provided in the apparatus store in the region of a fillingopening of the toner reservoir. For safety reasons, the device door canbe connected to an electrical safety means that interrupts operation ofthe device when the device door is opened. In order to be nonethelessable to refill toner, an opening can be inserted in this device doorwhose condition, i.e. whether open or closed, is not evaluated for theoperation of the printer. The toner reservoir can then be filled throughthis closeable opening. An opening of the device door with the resultthat the security means shuts the device off is not required.

As a result of the invention, an electrophotographic device can workinterruption-free with high efficiency, even when the toner consumptionis extremely high.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained below withreference to the drawing. In this explanation, further features ofvarious aspects of the invention, advantageous effects and thecombination of inventive features are described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a high-performance printer with closed flaps;

FIG. 2 is the front view of FIG. 1 with open flaps;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view when refilling the toner reservoir;

FIG. 4 is the view of FIG. 3 with closed flaps;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view with a flap in the proximity of the upperedge of the printer in the condition with the refilling bottle inserted;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view with the upper flap of FIG. 5 in the closedcondition;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a toner reservoir with mouthpiece and acap removed from the mouthpiece of the toner reservoir.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the toner reservoir;

FIG. 9 is a view of the toner reservoir from the front;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an arrangement for the generation of anunder-pressure in the toner reservoir;

FIG. 11 is the connection of a connecting hose, shown schematically;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the arrangement of a filter outside thetoner reservoir;

FIG. 13 is a diagram of the decrease of the amount of toner over theoperating time;

FIG. 14 is a schematic side view of the adapter unit connected to a usedtoner container;

FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C are different vies of an adapter unit with FIG.15A being a side view, FIG. 15B being a top plan view and FIG. 15C beinga cross-sectional view;

FIG. 16A is a side view of the adapter in a relaxed state;

FIG. 16B is a side view of the adapter in a compressed state;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the adapter unit when replacing the used tonercontainer;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the used toner container introduced into adrawer;

FIG. 19 is a diagram for defining various operating conditions;

FIG. 20A is a schematic view of the drawer with a full, used tonercontainer in an opened position to illustrate the condition Z1;

FIG. 20B is a schematic view of the drawer with the used toner containerremoved to illustrate the condition Z2;

FIG. 21A is a schematic view of the drawer with a partially filled, usedtoner container in the opened condition to illustrate the condition Z3;

FIG. 21B is a schematic view of the drawer in a closed position and thecontainer no yet full to illustrate the condition Z4; and

FIG. 22 is a schematic side view of further exemplary embodiments for areplacement of the used toner container without interrupting printingoperations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 schematically shows the front side of a high-performance printer10 that can print single sheets at high speed. The high-performanceprinter 10 contains two printing units (not shown) to each of which arespective toner reservoir from which toner is supplied to therespective printing unit is allocated. The toner reservoir essentiallypermanently installed in the high-performance printer 10 and must berefilled at time intervals via a filling opening 20 depended on the use.The two device doors 12 a, 12 b pivotable toward the outside serve thepurpose of covering internal parts of the high-performance printer 10 aswell as the toner reservoir. The device doors 12 a, 12 b are connectedto an electrical security means that interrupts operations of thehigh-performance printer 10 when either of the doors 12 a and 12 b arein an open condition. In order to avoid such an interruption andnonetheless enable a refilling with toner, a respective openingcloseable by flaps 14, 16 is provided in the region of the respectivefilling opening 20 of the two toner reservoirs, said openings not beingconnected to the safety system. A control panel 18 that, as describedlater, can be pivoted out is arranged above the flap 16.

FIG. 2 shows the front view of the high-performance printer 10 of FIG. 1with opened flaps 14, 16. In the opened condition of the flaps, thefilling openings 20 of the toner reservoirs 22 become visible. Tonerfrom a standardized refilling bottle can thus be refilled into the tonerreservoirs 22 without opening the device door 12 a, 12 b andinterrupting the printing operations. In the closed condition of theflap 14, 16, the internal parts of the high-performance printer 10 areagain completely protected from the outside world.

FIG. 3 shows the condition when refilling with a standardized tonerrefilling bottle 24. The refilling bottle 24 is introduced into anopening of the toner reservoir 22 through an opening 28 in the claddingpanels 30 with its bottleneck 26 in an oblique position and the tonerreservoir 22 is filled with toner. After the filling, the flap 16 closesthe opening 28.

The flap 16 is shaped such that it defines an upwardly opened containerspace 32. This container space 32 serves the purpose of collecting tonerthat is potentially spilled during filling. The access to the tonerreservoir 22 for the refilling bottle 24 is fashioned such that aspilling of toner when the refilling bottle 24 is applied can be easilyavoided, and the emptying of the refilling bottle 24 can ensueunproblemmatically by the force of gravity as a result of its obliqueattitude.

It can be seen in the upper part of the Figure that the operating panel18 can be pivoted. A filling opening of the toner reservoir 22 isfashioned such that, when filling with the standardized refilling bottle24, this can be introduced with play at the swivelled-out operatingpanel 18.

To facilitate an understanding, FIG. 4 shows the flap 16 in the closedcondition wherein the opening 28 is completely covered.

FIG. 5 shows another exemplary embodiment wherein the flap 14 isarranged in the upper edge reading of the cladding of thehigh-performance printer 10. According to FIG. 6, it can be seen thatthe cuboid-shaped housing form is again completed in the closedcondition of the flap 14.

FIG. 7 shows the toner reservoir 22 as a partial excerpt. The tonerreservoir 22 holds the contents of two refilling bottles each havingrespectively 0.6 kg of toner. Accordingly, the toner reservoir 22 has areceptacle volume of approximately 3.6 liters, whereby the tone arisingduring the filling procedure is to be taken into consideration as anadditionally required space when designing the toner reservoir 22. Amouthpiece 34 that is fixed by a spring element 35 is introduced intothe toner reservoir 22. The mouthpiece 34 has a funnel-shaped section 36that assures that an optimally small annular gap arises between openingof the mouthpiece 34 and the refilling bottle. The center axis of theopening of the mouthpiece 34 proceeds obliquely relative to thevertical, so that the refilling bottle can be applied in an obliqueattitude and a spilling of toner is avoided. The center axis of theopening of the mouthpiece 34 approximately intersects the center axis ofthe toner reservoir 22, this assuring that the cone is built up in themiddle of the toner reservoir 22. The opening of the mouthpiece 34 istightly closed with a closure cover 37 after the refilling. The closurecover 37 has a spring snap 38 at its underside with which, after beingintroduced, it engages into the mouthpiece 34 with a snap-in event. Theclosure cover 37 has a handle 40 at its upper side.

FIG. 8 schematically shows the structure of the toner reservoir 22 fromthe side. The center axis 44 of the mouthpiece 34 intersects the centeraxis 46 of the toner reservoir at approximately half height. A channel50 via which toner 54 is conveyed off in the direction of the arrow 48to the printing unit is located in the lower region of the tonerreservoir.

FIG. 9 shows a view from the front. The mouthpiece 34 is located in themiddle of the toner reservoir 22, as a result whereof a uniform deliveryand an optimum, uniform emptying of the toner reservoir 22 is assured. Afilling level sensor 58 emits an alarm signal when the toner 54 hasreached the level 60 (hatched line). The remaining amount 56 is thenstill adequate in order to enable a refilling of the toner without aninterruption of printing having to ensue. Two pivot arms 52 that turnoppositely toward one another see to it that toner adhering to theinside wall of the toner reservoir 22 is scraped off and a dense cone 42arises.

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are directed to a further aspect of the invention inaccord wherewith a slight vacuum or under-pressure is generated in thetoner reservoir. FIG. 10 illustrates the refilling of the tonerreservoir 22. When refilling toner from the refilling bottle 24, tonerdust 62 arises that can emerge from the annular gap opening at themouthpiece 34 without further measures. Inventively, air is extractedfrom the toner reservoir 22 via an air elimination opening 66 with aventilator or fan 64, at least during the filling procedure, as a resultwhereof air is suctioned through the annular gap at the bottleneck inthe direction of the arrows 68. Toner dust 62 cannot emerge. The airelimination opening 66, according to FIG. 10, is provided with a filter70 at the inside of the toner reservoir 22 that retains toner. The airelimination opening 66 is arranged in the upper region of the tonerreservoir 22, preferably in the toner-free area.

FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment. A discharge connector 71 isconnected to a connecting hose 72 that leads into the inside 74 of theprinter. The ventilator 64 in this version is arranged in the inside 74of the printer. FIG. 12 shows a development of the arrangement accordingto FIG. 11. In this development, the filter 70 is arranged in the inside74 of the printer and not in the toner reservoir 22.

During operation of the printer, a control sees to it that theunder-pressure in the toner reservoir 22 is built up no later than thebeginning of the toner refilling event, this having to be retained untilthe end of the refilling event. For example, the start of the extractioncan ensue with an electromechanical switch that is actuated when thetoner reservoir 22 is opened. It is also possible to maintain theunder-pressure in the toner reservoir 22 during the entire operation ofthe printer.

FIG. 13 shows a diagram with reference whereto the decrease in the tonerfilling level in the toner reservoir 22 over the operating time of theprinter is illustrated. The operating time is shown on the abscissa, thetoner filling level is shown on the ordinate. The toner filling level 75at which the filling level sensor 58 outputs an alarm signal is enteredinto the characteristic. This alarm signal means that the toner willsoon run out and toner must be refilled. Within the remaining timewherein there is still adequate toner in order to maintain printingoperations, an operator must replenish the toner. The position of theprinting level sensor 58 can be modified, as a result whereof the rangeof remaining time within which the refilling can ensue withoutinterrupting printing operations illustrated by an arrow 76 can be set.The alarm signal is preferably output when the filling level lies at10–40% of the overall amount of toner in the toner reservoir 22. Whenthe remaining toner is used, then the control must generate an abortsignal with which printing operations are shut off. In addition togenerating an abort signal after a predetermined time has elapsed, itcan also be generated dependent on the use of the remaining toner. Forexample, the use of toner can be determined on the basis of a toner markregulation in conjunction with a clock toner conveying. Given this tonermark regulation, a control pulse for toner conveying is output for adosing shaft controlled step-by-step given every toner mark on thephotoconductor drum of the printing unit that is inked too lightly. Thetime for a toner delivery, i.e. for a specific amount of toner, can beset in defined fashion per control pulse. When the remaining amount oftoner will be used after the occurrence of the alarm signal can beidentified from the addition of the conveying times and the dosingquantity per time unit. The abort signal can be accordingly generated.In this way, the overall time within which a refilling of toner mustensue in order to maintain operations free of printing operations can beoptimally determined.

Another possibility of determining the toner use and generating theabort signal is by determining the use of toner on the basis of theprinted picture elements and of the printing contrast that has been set.Of course, it is also possible to determine a specific number of pagesthat are still allowed to be printed after the occurrence of the alarmsignal until the abort signal is generated. What is therebydisadvantageous is that the remaining time can be extremely short forthe refilling, since the toner consumption is highly dependent on thedegree of blackening of the printed pages.

On the basis of the current consumption of toner and the amount ofrefilled toner after the occurrence of the alarm signal, it is alsopossible to continuously determine the actual filling level in the tonerreservoir 22. This actual filling level can then be displayed on adisplay at the printer. The level at which the filling level sensor 58outputs its alarm signal then serves as measuring point for the actualtoner filling level in the toner reservoir 22.

The following FIGS. 14–22 are directed to means for eliminating usedtoner that is collected by the cleaning system in the printing unit.FIG. 14 schematically shows the elimination of the used toner outputfrom the cleaning station 80 via an adapter unit 82 into a used tonercontainer 84. When the bulk fill level 86 in the used toner container 84has reached a specific height, the used toner container 84 must bereplaced with an empty one. In order to enable this in a simple way, theused toner container 84 is not connected directly to the cleaningstation 80; rather, the adapter unit 82 is provided as a connectingpiece, which assures that the toner does not adhere to it or collect atit either due to its coercive forces or due to the residual electricalcharge, which can lead to a blockage.

The structure of the adapter unit 82 is shown in FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15Cin a side view, a plan view and in a side cross-section. The adapterunit 82 has a stable collar 88 at the side of the cleaning unit 20 thatis fashioned as a rotary part. A further rotary part 90 that, as shallbe explained later, is accepted in a locking plate is provided at theside of the used toner container 84. A flexible hose 92 is arrangedbetween the collar 88 and the rotary part 90. This hose 92 is composedof silicone-containing plastic and is vulcanized into the parts 88, 90.Due to the flexibility of the hose 92, a horizontal compensation ofdesign tolerances can ensue on the one hand; on the other hand, thishose 92 can execute vertical movements and deformations without apermanent deformation remaining. The hose 92 expands in the fashion of aconical frustum in the direction toward the used toner container. As aresult thereof, a permanent collection of used toner in the hose 92 isavoided.

FIG. 16B illustrates the flexibility of the adapter unit 82, whereby itcan execute an angular motion of approximately 8° at both endsindependent of one another. In FIG. 16A, the principal; descendingchannel 94 wherein the used toner overcomes a descending path ofapproximately 100 mm is entered with dash-double dot lines, and thetoner descends without a clumping of the used toner or an adhesionthereof to the inside ensuing.

Returning to FIG. 14, it can be seen that the adapter unit 82 isconnected to a swivel arm 96 of the cleaning unit 80 by a clampedconnection 98. The rotary part 90 is accepted in a recess of a lockingplate 100 that is seated in a peg 102 to rotate in a plane 104 thatresides perpendicular to the paper plane. The locking plate 100 ispre-stressed in the direction of the used toner container 84 with atension spring 106.

FIG. 17 shows the adapter unit 82 and the locking plate 100 when theused toner container (not shown in FIG. 17) is being replaced. Forunlocking, the locking plate 100 is pressed up upon exertion of a forceF of approximately 15 N, whereby the rotary part 90 has its insidesurface separating from the neck 108 of the used toner container 84while compressing the hose 92. In this condition, the used tonercontainer 84 can be moved out, as explained in greater detail in thefollowing FIG. 18.

FIG. 18 shows a side view of the used toner container 84 introduced intoa drawer 110. The operating condition wherein used toner is conductedinto the used toner container 84 is shown. The drawer 110 is seated ontelescoping rails 112 and can be pushed out in the direction of thearrow 114 in order to replace the used toner container 84. The usedtoner container 84 is pressed against the back wall 115 of the drawer110 with the force F by a pivot element 118 formed of sheet metal and isthus pressed against the acquisition surface of a capacitative fillinglevel sensor 120. The force F is derived from a tension spring 116. Thepivot element 118 is pivotably seated around a pivot bearing 119. Amicroswitch 122 acquires the position of the drawer 110. Its signal isevaluated for monitoring, as explained in greater detail below.

In the illustrated, retracted condition of the drawer 110, the lockingplate 100 engages into a stop edge 124 of a side panel of the drawer110. For replacing the used toner container 84, as mentioned, thelocking plate 100 is raised and pivoted out perpendicular to the paperplane, so that the adapter unit 82 detaches from the used tonercontainer 84. A ramp 126 serves the purpose of assuring that the adapterunit 82 remains in a compressed condition in the withdrawn condition ofthe drawer 110. In this hinged-up position, the hose 92 is bent off onceor repeatedly and thereby seals the adapter unit in view of the usedtoner. Toner particles cannot escape from the adapter unit in thiscondition; after the drawer has been withdrawn by about 300 mm, the fullused toner container 84 can be replaced with an empty one. The new usedtoner container is pressed against the filling level sensor 120 by theswivel element 118, so that a stable operating position is achieved.Subsequently, the drawer 110 is again closed, this being signaled by themicroswitch 122. The locking plate 100 thereby again lowers, the bendor, respectively, bends in the hose 92 released and used toner can againemerge from the adapter unit 82 into the used toner container 84. Afurther microswitch 200 detects the raised or, respectively, lowerposition of the locking plate.

For monitoring the various operating conditions during replacement ofthe used toner container free of printing operations, the microswitch122, the filling level sensor 120 and the microswitch 200 are employedfor signaling. The various operating conditions Z1 through Z4 are shownin FIG. 19 dependent on the signals of the two detectors 120 and 122.The filling level sensor 120 has a signal status F=0 when the used tonercontainer 84 has a high filling level. It has the value F=1 when thefilling level is low. The microswitch 122 has the value M=0 when thedrawer 110 is pulled out; it has the value M=1 when the drawer iscompletely pushed in. The signal of the microswitch 200 is employed forchecking the respectively proper position of the locking plate 100, forexample whether the locking plate has been lowered, after the drawer waspushed back in. A determination can be made with this information as towhether a toner transport from the adapter unit 82 through the hose 92is possible. When a certain amount of toner has arisen, then it must beassured that this can be eliminated from the adapter unit 82 into theused toner container.

The statuses Z1 through Z4 are defined according to the aforementionedsignal statuses F and M. These various operating statuses Z1 through Z4are graphically illustrated in FIGS. 20A, 20B, 21A and 21B In thecondition Z1 (FIG. 20A), the drawer 110 is withdrawn and the used tonerlevel 130 is high, i.e. the used toner container is to be replaced. Inthis operating condition, the used toner container 84 must be replacedwithin a predetermined changing time; otherwise, the control generatesan abort signal and printing operations are suspended. Instead of thechanging time, the amount of used toner that has actually arisen canalso be interpreted, for example by determining the plurality of printedpicture elements and of the contrast that is thereby set or bydetermining the amount of conveyed toner.

In the status Z2, the pivot element 118 swivelled against the fillinglevel sensor 120 simulates a full used toner container. The drawer 110is closed and the microswitch 122 is actuated. When no used tonercontainer is introduced within a predetermined time given this operatingcondition, then printer operations are suspended.

In the operating status Z3 according to FIG. 21A, the drawer 110 isopened and the filling level sensor 120 indicates that the used tonerlevel 130 still lies below the full level. When the drawer is not closedwithin a predetermined time given this operating condition, then printeroperations are suspended.

The operating status Z4 defines the printing mode without malfunction.The drawer 110 is closed and the capacitative filling level sensor 120indicates that the used toner level 130 is low and the used tonercontainer 84 can still accept an adequate quantity of used toner.

By evaluating the signal statuses F and M of the sensors 120 and 122,the control of the printer can reliably control printing operations andmonitor the replacement of the used toner container free of printingoperations in all operating conditions.

FIG. 22 shows further possibilities for the replacement of the usedtoner container without having to interrupt printing operations. What iscritical for the replacement of the used toner container free ofprinting operations is that the filling level sensor 120 outputs a fullsignal at a status when there is still adequate space for toner andthere is still adequate time remaining in order to undertake steps forthe replacement of the used toner container 84. When the remaining timeuntil the full condition of the used toner container 84 is exceeded,then the control must immediately arrest printer operations in order toprevent an overfilling of the used toner container 84 and a possibletoner jam. The remaining time can be determined on the basis of printedpages or the time can be fixed dependent on the occurrence of usedtoner. The occurrence of used toner derives from the transfer printingefficiency and can be exactly determined by the control, for example, onthe basis of the printed picture elements in conjunction with thetransfer printing efficiency and the printing contrast. In this version,the time until the replacement of the used toner container has beencompleted is maximum.

In order to be able to undertake the replacement of the used tonercontainer during ongoing printer operation, the used toner that arisesmust be collected in the interim. FIG. 22 shows various measures asalternative or combined possibilities. The used toner conveyed by aconveyor 132 proceeds into the used toner container 84 via an adapterhose 136 in the normal operating condition. The conveyor 132 is drivenby a drive 134. When a controllable coupling is inserted between thisdrive 134 and the conveyor 132, the conveyor 132 can be at a standstillduring the replacement of the used toner container 84. The used tonerarising during the replacement then remains in the conveying channel ofthe conveyor 132.

Another possibility is comprised in arranging a closure 138 at the levelof the flexible adapter hose 136, this closure 138 being actuated forreplacing the used toner container. Further, an intermediate container142 can be provided that replaces the used toner container 84 while theused toner container 84 is being replaced and collects the used toner.The operation of the controllable coupling, of the intermediatecontainer 142 or of the closure 138 can be controlled via themicroswitch 122 that determines the withdrawal of the drawer 110.Dependent on the signal of the microswitch 122, the correspondingactuators can then be activated.

1. Device for an electrophotographic production of image patterns on arecording medium, comprising at least one printing unit to which toneris supplied, elimination means for transferring used toner collectedfrom a cleaning station to a used toner container, said means beinginterruptible in order to enable a replacement of the used tonercontainer free of printing interruptions, and said means having acontrollable coupling, which can be actuated during replacement of theused toner container, being connected between a drive and a conveyorshaft of the means for toner elimination from the cleaning station. 2.Device according to claim 1, wherein the used toner is transportedbetween cleaning station and used toner container via an adapter unitwith a conveyor through a conveying channel; and wherein used tonerarising during the replacement of the used toner container isintermediately stored in the conveying channel.
 3. Device according toclaim 2, wherein the adapter unit comprises a flexible hose.
 4. Deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein the emergence of the used toner from theadapter unit is preventable with the flexible hose.
 5. Device accordingto claim 4, wherein a closing mechanism that is actuated for replacingthe used toner container is arranged at the flexible hose.
 6. Deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein the flexible hose has a material at itsinside that is impenetrable for a toner and is toner-repellant; and inthat it is preferably manufactured of silicone.
 7. Device according toclaim 3, wherein the flexible hose expands conical frustum-shaped in thedirection toward the used toner container.
 8. Device according to claim3, wherein the adapter unit has a stable collar at the side of thecleaning station for acceptance in the cleaning station and has a stablereceptacle at the side of the used toner container that is connected toa pivotable locking plate, whereby the flexible hose is held in thecollar and in the receptacle.
 9. Device according to claim 2, whichincludes an intermediate container that can be pivoted in against theadapter unit instead of the used toner container during the replacementof the used toner container.
 10. Device according to claim 1, whereinthe used toner container is accepted in a drawer seated in runningrails, preferably telescoping rails.
 11. Device according to claim 10,wherein, when the drawer is pulled out, a locking plate has an endfacing away from its pivot point rising up on a ramp while compressing aflexible hose of the coupling and the locking plate engages behind astop edge when the drawer is pushed in.
 12. Device according to claim10, wherein the drawer contains a pivot element pre-stressed with aspring that, when the used toner container is in its introducedcondition, presses this against a filling level sensor; and in that thepivot element is pivoted against the filling level sensor in the statuswithout introduced used toner container and simulates a fully filledused toner container.
 13. Device according to claim 12, wherein thefilling level sensor is a proximity sensor that outputs a full signalgiven a filling height of the used toner corresponding to the positionof the proximity sensor.
 14. Device according to claim 10, wherein amicroswitch monitors the position of the drawer.
 15. Device according toclaim 14, which includes a control to evaluate the signal statuses of afilling level sensor and of the microswitch in order to control thereplacement of the used toner container and printing operations of thedevice.
 16. A device according to claim 1, which includes a tonerreservoir with a filling opening for each printing unit beingpermanently installed in the device, a lockable door for covering theinternal parts of the device and the toner reservoir, electrical safetymeans to stop operation of the printing unit when the door is opened,the door having a closable opening adjacent the filling opening so thatthe reservoir can be filled without opening the door to stop theoperation of the printing unit.
 17. Device according to claim 16,wherein the opening can be closed by a pivotable flap secured in thedoor.
 18. Device according to claim 17, wherein the flap is fashioned sothat it forms a collecting container for toner in the opened condition.19. A device according to claim 16, wherein the filling opening of thereservoir has a releasable mouthpiece.
 20. A device according to claim16, which includes means for generating a slight under-pressure in thetoner reservoir during a filling procedure.
 21. A device according toclaim 20, wherein the means for generating a slight under-pressureincludes the reservoir having an air elimination opening with a filterto retain the toner in the reservoir.
 22. A device according to claim16, which includes the toner reservoir having a filling level sensor todetermine the filling level, said sensor generating an alarm signal whenthe filling level drops below a set position, and means to create anabort signal for the operation of the printing unit at a period afterthe alarm signal.
 23. A device according to claim 22, wherein the levelsensor is a capacitative sensor being mounted for displacement in anaxial direction on an outside wall of the reservoir and generating thealarm signal when the level falls below the sensor, said means to createan abort signal depends on the use of the toner after the alarm signal.24. Device according to claim 23, wherein the toner use is identified onthe basis of printed picture elements and of a printing contrast thathas been set and/or on the basis of a number of printed individualpages.
 25. A method for changing a used toner container in an apparatusfor an electrophotographic generation of image patterns on a recordingmedium, said apparatus having at least one printing unit to which toneris supplied, a cleaning station for cleaning used toner therefrom, andmeans for eliminating used toner from the cleaning station to a tonercontainer, said method comprising the steps of interrupting a flow oftoner in said means for eliminating, and replacing the used tonercontainer without interrupting a printing operation of the printingunit.
 26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the means foreliminating includes a controllable coupling between a conveyor shaftand a drive of the means for eliminating, and said step of interruptingincludes actuating the controllable coupling to stop the flow in themeans for eliminating.
 27. A method according to claim 25, wherein themeans for eliminating includes a conveying channel and an adapter unit,and wherein the step of changing the toner container includes storingused toner in said conveying channel.
 28. A method according to claim27, wherein the step of storing includes closing the adapter unit whilechanging the toner container to prevent the emergence of used toner fromthe adapter unit.
 29. A method according to claim 27, wherein theapparatus includes an intermediate container mounted for movementbetween a position adjacent the adapter unit to receiving used tonerfrom the adapter unit, and said method of storing includes shifting theintermediate container to a position under the adapter unit to receivethe used toner as the used toner container is being replaced.